Frog switch



S. MAXWELL.

FROG SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED FEB. I8, 1922.

Patented Dec. 5, 1922; H

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

6. MfazweV/ ATTO RN E S. MAXWELL v FROG SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 18, I922.

V 2 SHEETS-$HEET 2. $6.3.

27 %OIZW6//INVENTOR WITUNESI? h BY ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 5, 1922.

SMITH MAXWELL, 0F KNIG-HTSVILLE, INDLhNA, ASIGNOR GEE-THIRD T0 IMIC HAEL HEN'NESSY AND (ENE-THIRD T0 ARTHUR MA-KXWELL, BOTH OF KNIGHTSVILLE, INDIANA.

race swrrcn,

Application filed February 18, 19253.

To aZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that 1. SMITH ll lnXwnLL, a citizen of the United States, residing at linightsville, in the county of Clay and State of Indiana, have invented new and useful. Improvements in Frog Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to railway track constructions. and has for one of its objects, the provision of a frog switch including a tongue adapted to move across one of the rails on the main track, and occupy a position upon a frog block and in aline with one ot the rails o'f'the siding, a construction which does not weaken the said rail Another object oi the invention resides.

in the construction of means for simultaneously operating; the frog switch with the sw1tch points, and providing a connection a between the tron-"switch and a semaphore,

whereby the latter is operated incident to the movement of thcirog switch.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood when the tollowing detailed description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, the invention residing in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts as claimed. I

In the drawings forming part of thisap plication. like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, and wherein Figure l is a aerspectivc view showing the relative position of the parts when the main trackway is open.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 22- oi Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the frog in its active position across the main track and in alinement with the adjacent rail of the siding.

Figure a is a transverse sectional. view taken on line l4l of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the frog switch.

Referringto the drawings in detail, 10 and 11 indicate respectively the rails of the main track, while 152- and 13 represent the rails of the siding. Pivoted as at 14 areswitch points 15, the latter being movable between.

Serial No. 537,510.

the rail 10 or the main track andthe rail 12 of the siding.

The switch points are connected together by a bridle 16 which slides beneath the rails, and connected at one end to an operating shaft 17. The shaft is journaled in a suitable bearing 18 and is provided with a handle oroperating lever 19.

Arranged between. the rails of the main trackway, but in juxtaposition t0 the rail 11, is a frog block indicated at 21, and this block is further disposed in aline, or sub stantially so with the rail 13 of the siding. The upper surface of this frog block is recessed as at-22, the recess opening at one side oft the block to receive the'tongue of the frog switch to behcreinaiiter described. This frog block is turther'cut away as at 23 so that the upper surface at one side of the block is arranged beneath the head of the rail 11. of the main trackway, it being understood that the flanges ot the wheels pass over this portion of the block when the train traverses the main track. Pivoted at the opposite side of the rail 11 is a frog switch 2a which is formed to provide a tongue or extension 25 adapted to overlie the head of the rail 11 of the main trackway, when it is shifted to a position to form a continuity of the rail 13 of the siding. In this position ottparts as illustrated in Figures 3 and 1, the tongue or extension 25 is positioned within the recess 22 01"" the frog block; The frog switch is reduced and slightly tapered as at 27 immediately beneath the tongue 25 so thatthe switch can be moved into proper and close association with the rail 11 of the main track when its use is desired.

The frog switch is shifted simultaneously with the switch points 15, being connected with the latter through the instrumentality ot the mechanism to be presently described. This mechanism includes a bridle 28 which extends beneath the rails of both the main track and siding, and connected to the joints adjacent branch 34 of a second bell crank lever indicated at and :fulcrumed as at 36. It w'll be noted that the bell crank lever 35 is disposedreversely to the bell crank lever 30. The remaining branch 37 of the bell crank lever is connected by means of an arm 38 to the frog switch above referred to. lhe frog switch supports bracket 39, and the adjacent end of the connecting rod is offset as at 40 and pivotally associated with the said bracket 39. llianitestly, when the operating handle or lever 19 is actuated to shift the switch points 15, the frog switch is simultaneously operated, and may be moved in either direction, this of course depending upon the particular direction of movement of the handle or operating lever 19.

Arranged adjacent the track structure is a post or standard 41 upon which pivoted a semaphore 42, the latter being connected by a rod to the'adjacent branch d4 of a bell crank lever This lever is tulcrumed upon the standard 41, and has its remaining branch 46 connected with the adj acent end of an arm 47, the opposite end of this arm being; pivotally associated with a bracket 18 carried by the switch. Manifestly, when the frog switch is actuated to overlie the adjacent rail of the main track, the semaphore is moved to a position against the main line traffic.

While it is believed that "from the foregoing description, the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent, I

I desire to have it understood that I do not so limit myself.

lVhat I claim is 1. In a railway construction, a main track, a siding, switch points pivoted between the adjacent rails of the main track and siding, means connecting said switch'points whereby the latter are simultaneously movable, a frog block arranged between the rails of the main track but in juxtaposition to one of said rails, said block being also disposed substantially in aline with the adjacent rail of the siding, said block being cut away at one side whereby a portion of said block lies beneath the head of the adjacent rail of the main track, a frog switch pivoted at the opposite side of the last mentioned rail, a tongue projecting from said frog switch and adapted to move across and overlie the adjacent rail of the main track when in active position, said frog block having a recess in its upper surface to receive said tongue, a bridle connecting the switch points, spaced oppositely disposed bell crank levers, a connecting rod between said levers, said bridle being connected to one of said levers, and a connection between the other of said levers and the frog switch whereby the latter is simultaneously movable with said switch points.

2. In a railway construction, a main track, a siding, switch points movable between the adjacent rails of the main track and said siding, means for connecting said switch points tor simultaneous movement, a frog block arranged between the rails of the main track and in juxtaposition to one of said. rails, said block being further disposed substantially in aline with the adjacent rail of the siding, a frog pivoted at one side of the adjacent rail of the main track, a tongue projecting from said frog switch and adapted to be moved across and overlie the adjacent rail of the main track, said frog block having a recess in its upper face to receive said tongue, means connecting the frog switch with said switch points for simultaneous movement with the latter, a semaphore pivotally mounted adjacent the track way, and means connecting the semaphore with the frog switch, whereby said semaphore is actuated incident to movement of said switch.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

SMITH MAXW'ELL. 

